After three weeks of practice, scrimmages and conditioning, the CVU Pride GU-16 team was ready to get back to some action. For a change of pace, the team had decided to enter the Gold Division of the Soccer by the Bay Tournament in San Francisco. It is one of the largest tournaments in Nor Cal, so the players were anxious to get back on the field.
The first game pitted CVU Pride against Delta Storm who was quickly dispatched, with the Pride winning 6:0 in convincing fashion. Game two against the home team, Peninsula Blast, posed more of a challenge. After failing to score on several good opportunities, the Blast were awarded a PK, and CVU Pride found themselves down, 1:0 at the half. The equalizer was scored early in the second half. CVU kept on the pressure, but was unable to find the back of the net and had to settle for a 1:1 tie.
The players were ready to make amends in game three against the Almaden Flames. Capitalizing on several of numerous good options to score, CVU won 4:0.
Finals were played against a Caps FC 93 team that had won all three of their prior matches. Early pressure by the Caps kept the Pride off balance. Goalkeeper Allie stepped up with several big saves to keep the opponent scoreless. A quick counter attack freed Laura for a break away. She neatly shot the ball into the side netting for a 1:0 lead. The lead sparked the team’s confidence as they controlled most of the action for the remainder of the half.
With the start of the second half, the Caps once again applied a lot of pressure, knocking a break away opportunity off the goal post. The ensuing clearance was quickly converted into a superb counter attack with Taylor beating three players and sending in a pin point cross to Autumn who finished with a nice header. 2:0 and the game seemed well in hand, until the Caps scored on a nice play down the middle. The Caps kept up the pressure, but our defense maintained their high level of play. The Pride also had some nice opportunities to extend their lead, but some great saves by the Caps keeper, kept everything close until the final whistle sounded.
It was a great beginning for the Pride as they open their campaign in the Gold Bracket of CSL. The defense was spectacular giving up only two goals, ( one off the run of play) while supporting the attack with numerous overlapping runs and great crosses. With 13 goals scored, the midfield and offense was the highest scoring team of the tournament.
All in all a lot to be proud of on the long drive back to So Cal.
